White Meadowsweet (Spiraea alba)

White Meadowsweet

Spiraea alba

Clouds of tiny white blooms bring soft summer charm. Deciduous flowering shrub; common name: White Meadowsweet.

Full sun
1–2/week
Beginner
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Plant Needs

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Sunlight Full sun to partial shade; produces the most abundant blooms in full sun conditions
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Watering Water deeply when the top 2–3 cm of soil is dry; avoid overwatering to prevent root rot
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Temperature Extremely cold hardy to -30°C; tolerates hot summer temperatures with consistent soil moisture
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Characteristics

  • Leaf: Simple, lanceolate to oblong leaves with serrated margins; medium green turning yellow in fall
  • Flower: Dense, flat-topped corymbs of tiny white, 5-petaled blooms
  • Stem: Slender, upright to arching woody stems with brownish bark
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Care Guide

Watering

Keep soil consistently moist during active growth and flowering periods

Fertilization

Apply balanced slow-release fertilizer once at the start of growing season. Over-fertilization can lead to excessive foliage growth with reduced flowering

Eggshell powder topdressing:Sprinkle 1–2 tbsp of finely crushed, dried eggshell powder around the base of the shrub in early spring; avoid direct contact with stems to prevent irritation
Pruning
  • Deadhead spent flower clusters to encourage prolonged blooming through late summer
  • Thin overcrowded stems in late winter to improve airflow and light penetration
  • Cut back up to one-third of old wood every 2–3 years to maintain compact growth and vigor
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Toxicity

Warning: this plant may be toxic.

Pets & Humans

Pets: ASPCA: Non-toxic to cats

Humans: No known toxicity to humans

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Garden Uses & Culture

Culture: N/A

Usage: Ornamental garden shrub; attracts pollinators including bees and butterflies